Filing device



Jan. 11,1927. 1,614,445

J. c. SEYL FILING DEVICE Filed Sept. 2, 1921 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 m Z6 Z4 1,614,445 Jan. 11 1927. J. c. SEYL FILING DEVICE Filed Sept. 2, 1921 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Jan. 11,1927. 1,614,445

J. C. SEYL FILING DEVICE Filed Sept. 2,1921 Sheets-Sheet I5 Patented Jan. 11, 1927:

PATENT OFFICE.

JOSEPH CONRAD SEYL, OF CHICAGO. ILLINOIS.

FILING DEVICE.

Application filed Septcmber 2, 1921.

My present invention relates in general to filing devices, and more particularly to the combination with a filing cabinet or analogous receptacle of sorting or filing means which are self-accomodatory with the variations in the total amount of material to be filed within the cabinet and with the variations in the amounts of the material to be filed within different portions of the cabinet, and includes also the concept ofembodying such general arrangements as contemplated by me in existing cabinets as an attachment.

While I have referred to my invention as adapted for filing generally. and more particularly for filing cabinets, it will be under-' stood that certain phases of my invention have a wide field of utility in'connection with instrumentalities for sorting and filing various materials,

Among the more important objects of my invention are the provision of an assembly for holding papers and other objects to be sorted or filed in such sorted or filed relationship, which assembly may be introduced into a ore-existing container or cabinet as an auxiliary or attachment thereto; the provision of a sorting or filing cabinet in which the material to be sorted or filed is segregated inflo sections, which sections may be variably dimensioned at the top within pre determined limits, and more particularly one wherein the bottom of the sections are of fixed dimension; the provision of a sorting or filing cabinet in which the material to be sorted or filed is segregated into sections, which sections are defined by walls at least one of which is variable angularly within predetermined limits; thep'rovision of devices so characterized which'are suscep tible of variation to compensate for dif ferent drawer lengths; the provision of devices of the naturereferred to which are provided with a series'of pockets which may be readily removed; together wlth such further objects as may be hereinafterpointed out or as may so appear. a

In attaining theobjects suggested as well as certain further benefits andadvantages Serial No. 497,924.

line 2-2 thereof; a

Figure 3 is a transverse sectional View thereof, taken on the line 33 of Figure 1, looking in the direction indicated by the arrows;

Figures 4 and 4 are fragmentary views similar to Figure 3, illustrative of a modi fied detail of construction;

Figures 5, 6, and 7 are a group of views similar to those of Figures 1. 2 and 3, illus trative of a modified form of assembly; and Figures 8, 9 and 10 are another group of like views illustrative of a 'modified embodiment of my present inventIon,

Referring first more particularly to the group of views of Figures 1, 2 and 3, it will be noted that I have here illustrated as generally indicated at 10 a filing cabinet drawer of a known type having the side walls, 11, 12, a rear wall, 13. and a front, 14, provided with a drawer pull, 15.

The, type of drawer illustrated is provided with a bottom, 16, having the central longitudinal slot, 17, in which is received a center rod 18, passing through the front, 14,

such figures and as there shown comprises generally the side walls, 20, 21, of such shape and dimensions as adapt them to be positioned parallel with and adjacent to the side walls 11 and 12 of the drawer, 10, the strips,

afford the necessary 22 and 23 arranged to be positioned longitudinally of the drawer, 10. on either side of the slot, 17, and the cross-pieces, 24, secured to the strips 22, 23.

These cross-pieces 24 are arranged in spaced groups of two forpurposes which will presently appear lhe assembly further comprises the partition members 25 each secured in position in the assembly between the members of a pair of cross-pieces 24 by means of the hinge structures generally indicated at 26, so as to permit the partition to move angularly in either direction about the hinge 26. The hinge structures include openings 26 in each partition slightly larger than the rod 18 to permit vertical displacement of the partitions, and the cross-pieces 24 limit longitudinal displacement of the partitions on said rods 18. This arrangement pre vents binding of the partitions, and at the same time permits the upper edges thereof to move along the edges 40.

For limiting this angular movement of the partition 25 to and fro, I employ limit stops which in the embodiment illustrated take the form of the cutaway portions 27 in the. walls 20 and 21 of the assembly, and the projections 28 which extend oppositely from the partitions 25 into the cutaway portions 27.

In the illustrated embodiment of my invention, I have provided the partitions, 25, with the projections, 28, by securing over the upper margin of each partition the reflexively bent member 29 preferably of metal of generally U-form, which member 29 is longer than the width of the partitions and therefore when centrally positioned will projections 28 into the cutaway portions 27. Additionally, the and reinforce these partitions -25.

Upon viewing Figure 2, it will be perceived that the cutaway portions 27 in the side walls, 20, and 21, are each limited by the end margins 31, 32 which are shown as sloping in opposite directions so as to properly coact with the extensions 28 of the partitions 25 as the partitions move to and fro to their extreme positions in opposite directions.

,In the practical use of this embodiment of my present invention, the assembly which I have just described may be placed bodily in the drawer, 10, with sides'20 and 21 of the assembly preferably in contact with the side walls 11 and 12 of the drawer, 10, and with the members-22 and 23 positioned preferably against the bottom, 18, of the drawer 10.

\Vhen the side members 20 and 21 are made they are cut. the proper length for the drawer into which they are to be inserted,

strips 29 will protect upper margins of the and preferably snugly fit between the end walls 13 and 1.4 of such drawer, though if the side members are of slightly less length than that of the drawer the device will continue to function properly. The side mer nbers cannot be displaced outwardly because of the side walls of the drawer and are held against inward displacement by the partitions 25. Material upward displacement of the side members is prevented by the extensions 28 on the partitions, and the cooperation of the rod 18 with the members 22 and 23 and adjustable frictional holding members 37 serves to retain the whole device as an assembly from displacement in the drawer.

For the purpose of accommodating the assembly to variations in the length of the drawer and for frictionally securing parts of the assembly in position in the box, I have provided the members 22, 23 adjacent to one end with the extensions 33, 34 variably secured thereto by means of engaging fin gers 35 engaging suitable ones of a number of apertures 36.

Upon viewing Figure 2, it will be manifest that the members 33 and 34, which are preferably made of spring material, are each provided with the upturned portions 36 and 37 so that when adequately extended they will frictionally engage the rear wall 13 of the drawer 10. The members 36 and 37, as pointed out, cooperate to in part frietionally retain the device.

For cooperation with the type of drawer here illustrated which is furnished with the slot 1 7: and center rod 18, I have provided each partition, 25, with the depending tab, 38, having opening, 39, which may be reinforced, arranged to receive the center rod. 18, therethrough. I

It will be thus seen that with the assembly in position as described, I have in fact provided a filing device in which segregated sections are formed by the partitions, and as these partitions have their lower margins hinged in predetermined spaced relation the bottom of the pockets will remain of a constant width and will occupy a fixed position in the drawer 10.

Due, however, to the swinging movement of these artitions, 25, the upper and open mouth of each section will vary in width as the partitions swing relatively one to the other.

On inspection of Figure 2, it will be seen that the maximum width of the mouth is limited by the distant margins of the adjacent cutaway portions 27, and the minimum separation is limited by the proximate m7argins of the adjacent cutaway portions 2 As a result of this, the mouth of each section, on the one hand, is always maintained open so that material may be placed therein 7 the files, or other opposite directions thereby opening out the 27 and with the center rod, 18, of the drawer, 10.

- It will thus be seen that the partitions, 25, which are preferably made of cardboard, will be supported against-collapse or backling and consequentl will not only support exible material in the pockets against collapse, but will also permit ready access thereto by affording displace ment of the two adjacent partitions 25 in mouth of the section.

Now, with more particular reference to the group of. views shown in Figures 5, 6 and 7, it will be observed that I have here illustrated a modified, and in certain respects, a simplified form of assembly, comprising among. other things the two frame members 50 which are preferably made of wire, or the like, bent as shown at 51 to form depressions. These members 50 are maintainedin POSI- tion against the side walls 11 and 12 preferably by having the depending legs 52, 53 which are adapted to be supported directly upon the bottom 16, formed with feet 50, outward movement of said legs be ng prevented by their snug engagement, wit

the corners of the drawer, and said feet abutting the bottom of the drawer. Any

inward movement of the legs which might occur is stopped by the members 60 and 61.

For providing the desired engagement, preferably frictional between these members 50 and the drawer 10, the leg 53 of each of the members 50 is secured variably to the remainder of the member 50 by the means in dicated at 54. B this arrangement the legs 52 and 53-, whic are preferabl made of spring material, may be adjuste relatively to each other, and. provide not only the aforementioned frictional engagement but also for variations in the length of the drawer. .v

The depressions 51 are substantially in function and broadly in structure similar to the cutaway portions 27 shown in the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Fig ures 1, 2 and 3, these each comprising the ends 55, 5,6 and bottom 57 which answer to the elements-31, 32 and 40 of the cutaway portions 27 of the embodiment first described.

In this simplified form of assembly, the

pockets are formed means of folding members generally indicated at 58 and each of which comprises the bottom 59 and the upstanding portions 60 and 61 hinged to such bottom portion 59, as indicated .at 65..

As is to be ascertained on inspection of Figure 6, the upstanding wall, 61, of each folder, except the front one, is provided 011 itsupper margin with the reflexively bent reinforcement, 62, having the lateral projections 63 coacting with the end portions 55, 56 of a depression 51 in all respects as in similar features of the'construction of the embodiment of Figures 1, 2 and 3.

The opposite wall, 60, is preferably made higher so thatit may not only serve to carry the indexing characters (if desired) but will serve better the function of the back wall of a section.

It will be clear that in this embodiment a section 58 and its contents may be readily removed from the drawer 10 as a unit.

By providing each of the upstanding walls 60, 61 with the perforated and reinforced tabs 64 to coact with the slot 17 and center rod 18, the results will be obtained here also that have been set forth in connection with the similar portions of the device of Figures 1, 2 and 3.

Furthermore, the coaction of the center rod 18, the tabs 64, and the bottom 59 will be such that the bottom, 59, will be maintained in horizontally extended position. This bottom '59 may be cutaway. as indicated at 66 to permit the useof guides or thelike having the usual depending reinforced tabs engaged by the center rod.

The embodiment of Figures 8, 9 and 10,

. ures 1, 2 and 3, and serve like function.

The side walls 71 and 72 are further pro vided with apertures 79 in which are ivoted .the partitions 80 by means of extensions 81 of the reflexively bent reinforcement 82 secured over the lower margin of each par tition 80.

For coacting' with the cutaway portions 78 the upper marginof each partition 80 is provided with extensions 83 of a reflex therein in the course of manuliu lac

ivelybent reinforcement 84 applied to the 3 upper margin of the partition 80, which extensions83' move in the cutawa portions 78 and coact with the marginal w s thereof as has been fully set forth in connection with the description of the other embodiments of my invention.

In Figsh t and 4 I have shown a modifi-- cation of a detail of construction in which the bottom, 90, of the drawer, 91, is provided with transverse slots 92, 93 shown in longitudinalvsection in which are received the tabs or projections 94, 95 depending from the partition 96, and serving to form a pivotal engagement between the partition 96 and the bottom 90.

Among the advantages of sorting and filing devices embodying the present invention are the following: a

As each section is a self-contained element, the pressure exerted on any folder or other unit in a section can be limited to that of the mass in such section, since the weight of other material in the receptacle is without effect thereupon.

From this it follows that when a thick folder is removed, the partitions,, 25, serve as abutments to prevent the remaining folders from collapsing or falling over.

Thus any possibility of a folder so sagging or crumpling as to become turned under in part, or even as it is said crawl out of sight under the mass of folders is avoided.

Inasmuch as the weight of the mass of folders is subdivided and sustained by the several partitions 25 the folders may be distributed through the receptacle and the pressure on any single folder thereby so greatly reduced that it may not only be readily removed and replaced, but may even be inspected without removal.

Notwithstanding that in the case of fold ers, the mass of the contents is greater as a rule adjacent to the bottom rather than toward the top, the consequent angle of tilt, increasing from the front to the rear of the receptacle (or vice-verse) as the receptacle is fillechis spread over a number of sections and so largely absorbed.

The partitions 25 being tiltable to and fro, ready access for insertion or removal of a folder into a section is had by mere separation of the two adjacent artitions and without the need of moving a ollower block such as is commonly employed and without .having to shift or ush backward or forward the intermediate olders. v

The spacing of members 22, 23, Figs. 1 to 3, and members 59, 59. Figs. 5 to 7, is such as to afford slots, which are at least as large in area as the slots in the bottoms of the standard filing drawer, or other receptacle.

This ready separation not only affords an adequate spread at the top of the partitions for moving the folders, but also permits their tops to be pushed backward so tilting them as to make the reading of index data and other legends carried thereby very convenient.

Having thus described my invention and illustrated its use, what I claim as new and desire to secure'by Letters Patent is 1. A filing device of the character described comprising upstanding side. members adapted to retain transversely arranged sheets, and a plurality of partition members, portions of the side members adjacent to their bottoms and limiting stops adjacent the upper portion of said side members adapted to coact with extension members on said partition members for holding said partition members in relative pivotal relationship and limited angular displacement.

2. A filing device of the character described comprising a receptacle portion adapted to retain transversely arranged sheets, a plurality of transversely arranged partition members, means for holding said partition members in predetermined spaced relationship at their lower edges in engagement with said receptacle for pivotal movement and means for limiting the pivotal movement of said partition members at the upper portions thereof.

3. A filing device of the character described comprising upstanding side members adapted to retain transversely arranged multiple upstanding sheets, and a plurality of upstanding partitions supported thereby, the supporting means of one of said partitions being of a pivotal character with said side walls, and means on said side walls adapted.to engage .said partition to limit the piyptal movement to a predetermined angular displacement.

4. A filing device of the character described comprising upstanding side members adapted to retain transversely arranged multiple upstanding sheets, and a plurality of upstanding partition members, one of said partition members comprising means at an edge thereof ,to permit pivotal movement by engagement with the side members, and means at the opposite edge to limit the pivotal movement to a predetermined angular displacement by engagement with portions of said side members.

5. For use witha filing device of the characterdes'cribed comprising upstanding side wall members adapted to retain transversely arranged upstanding sheets and a plurality of upstandlng partition members therebetween, a partition member therefor comprising projecting members adapted to engage the side Wall members to permit pivotal movement of the partition member and other projecting members to limit the angular displacement by engagement with portions of said side walls.

6. For the use with a filing device of the character described comprising upstanding plurality of upstanding partition members,

side wall members adapted to retain transversely arranged upstanding sheets and a plurality of partition.memberstherebetween, a partition member therefor including oppositely disposed edge members, one group lof said edgejmembers being arranged for permitting pivotal movement of said partition, the other group of members being arranged to limit the angular displacement of said partition by engagement with portions of said sidewall members.

7. A filing device of the character described comprising upstanding side wall members adapted to retain transversely arranged multiple upstanding sheets and a a partition member pivoted upon said side wall members at fixed points with said side wall members at stationary pivot, and means upon said side Wall members, and partition for limiting the angular displacement of said partition member.

8. For use with a filing device of the character described comprising side wall members adapted toretain transverse sheets and a plurality of transversely arranged partition members therebetween, a partition member comprising metal extension members refiexively bent over the edges of said partition, one extension member adapted to form a pivot for said partition, the other extension member being adapted to limit the angular displacement of said partition.

9. A filing device of the character described, comprising sidewall members adaptedv to retain multiple transversely arranged sheets, in combination with a plurality of transversely arranged partition members, means included by said side wall members to pivotally mount said partition members in spaced relation, and additional means included by said side wall members to limit angular displacement of said partition members.

10. A filing device of the character described comprising side wall 'members adapted to retain transversely arranged sheets in coinbination with a plurality 0t transversely arranged partition -members with pivoting and stopping means, said side wall members including portions arranged to support said partition members in predetermined spaced relationship for pivotal and angular displacement, comprising pivot portions at the lower portion. thereof and limiting stops near the top thereof adapted to count with said partition members for limiting the same in angular displacement relative to said side wall members.

11. A device of the character described comprising a receptacle having side members and provided with fixed spaced retaining means for a plurality of partitions, partitions for said receptacle forming the file distributing device, means included by said partitions adjacent their lower portions pivoted 'by said retaining means, and means carried b said receptacle providing pairs ofspace abutments for limiting the angular displacement of said partitions.

Iii-testimony whereof I have hereunto signed my name.

JosErH CONRAD SEYL. 

